Melissa L. Yemma

Melissa Yemma concentrates her practice in the areas of product liability, retail liability and insurance litigation. In addition, she defends independent and public schools in a variety of matters involving student safety, school policy and civil rights.

Ms. Yemma’s experience covers all aspects of discovery and trial preparation. She has successfully arbitrated many cases in both federal and state courts throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Ms. Yemma was recognized as a Rising Star in the 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine, a distinction that recognizes the top 2.5 percent of Pennsylvania lawyers in practice for 10 years or less.

relevant experience

Representation of manufacturers and servicers in product liability litigation involving a range of residential and commercial products including appliances, recreational products and vehicles, snow making equipment and heating products.

Representation of a global leader in the manufacture of home products in product litigation involving refrigerators, freezers, ranges, washers, dryers, dishwashers, dehumidifiers and vacuum cleaners.

Serves as national coordinating counsel for global manufacturer in product litigation filed throughout the United States. Responsible for coordination of discovery and trial preparation.

Representation of leading global automotive supplier in product litigation.

Representation of a diversified manufacturer of industrial components serving the railroad, vehicular and construction markets.

Representation of insured individuals and commercial entities involved in general liability litigation.

Representation of commercial entities in litigation involving their employees and their properties.

Representation of servicers and installers of residential and commercial products in matters where it is alleged that their work resulted in property damage and personal injury.

representative matters

Defense verdict in Pennsylvania Federal Court where it was alleged that a compact refrigerator caused a fire at a high school resulting in substantial property damage. Obtained precedent setting ruling on spoliation of evidence resulting in an adverse inference instruction to the jury. The defense verdict was affirmed on appeal to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Defense verdict for a private day and boarding school in a lawsuit brought by a student for personal injury sustained by the student when he was hit by a vehicle at a pedestrian cross-walk on a campus roadway. The defense successfully proved through expert engineering testimony that the injuries sustained by the student were the result of his inattention and not the result of defective roadway engineering or the lack of proper pedestrian warning devices.

Defense arbitration decision in Pennsylvania federal court action where it was alleged that a dehumidifier caused a fire and resulting property damage. The defense successfully proved that the dehumidifier was not in the area of fire origin and that the dehumidifier did not contain any evidence of abnormal electrical activity.

Obtained a voluntary dismissal of a Pennsylvania federal court action where it was alleged that a defective dryer caused a fire and resulting property damage. The defense was successful in establishing through expert opinion that the fire originated to the exterior of the dryer and that the dryer was attacked by the fire.

Obtained summary judgement in favor of appliance manufacturer in a lawsuit brought by homeowners for damages sustained as a result of a fire. The defense successfully established that the dishwasher at issue was not an unreasonably dangerous product as a matter of law.

Obtained summary judgment in favor of a property owner in a lawsuit brought by a business invitee for personal injuries sustained by the individual when she fell from a loading dock on the property. Through fact discovery, the defense successfully established that the property owner was a landlord out of possession and therefore, owed no duty to the business invitee.

Obtained voluntary dismissals of product litigation venued throughout the United States. The litigation claimed millions in damages and was based upon allegations that a defectively designed product caused fires.

Successfully litigated matter on behalf of school district where teacher alleged wrongful termination was the result of her disability. School district defended action by establishing termination was based upon poor performance and not teacher’s disability.

Achieved cost-effective settlement on behalf of HVAC installer and servicer where it was alleged that improper installation and service was the cause of a fire which destroyed a commercial building resulting in significant property damage and business income loss.